Self-Guided Tour of the Loovis Forest Garden

Enter the property from the Miscanthus Grass-lined court onto the driveway where there is a low stone wall warmed-up with ferns. Walk approximately 200 feet along the driveway flanked with Hollies, Viburnum, Magnolias, and Mahonias, and turn left to enter Garden Room One: Illicium Fire Pit (Illicium parviflorum “Florida Sunshine”). 

From the Illicium Fire Pit, turn left to re-enter the driveway and then turn immediately left onto the main Chapel Hill gravel trail ("Outer Loop"). Walk approximately 250 feet and the Aucuba Lounge (Aucuba japonica “Gold Dust”) will be on your left.  

From the Aucuba Lounge, walk straight across the "Outer Loop," up the moss-covered stairs, and ver right to follow the path ("Oak Tree Trail") towards the house. Walk approximately 150 feet and the Holly Hammock (Ilex opaca) will be on your right.

From the Holly Hammock, turn right to re-enter the "Oak Tree Trail," walk towards the house and make a U-Turn to enter the "Five Cedars Trail." Follow this side trail approximately 150 feet back to the Aucuba Lounge, turn right on the "Outer Loop" and walk approximately 150 feet to the Christmas Fern Fire Pit (Polystichum acrostichoides), which will be on your left. This fire pit is shaded by the tall Sycamore tree (Platanus occidentalis) and is situated at the point of two creek confluence. 

From the Christmas Fern Fire Pit, turn left to re-enter the "Outer Loop." Walk approximately 15 feet and enter the Buckeye Chair Swing (Aesculus glabra). This swing hands from a maple tree.

From the Buckeye Chair Swing, turn right to re-enter the "Outer Loop," cross the railroad tie bridge, and walk approximately 25 feet. The Magnolia Lounge (Magnolia grandiflora) will be on your left. 

From the Magnolia Lounge, turn left to re-enter the "Outer Loop" and walk approximately 25 feet. The Leucothoe Chair Swing (Leucothoe fontanesiana) will be on your right and situated under an ironwood tree.

From the Leucothoe Chair Swing, turn right to re-enter the "Outer Loop" and walk approximately 50 feet. The Prostrate Yew Lounge (Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Prostrata') will be directly in front of you before crossing the wooden bridge. 

From the Prostrate Yew Lounge, cross the wooden bridge and walk up the stone steps to the Japanese Cedar Bench (Cryptomeria japonica), which is situated along a hillside of Hellebores (Helleborus) aka Hellebore Heaven! 

From the Japanese Cedar Bench, walk approximately 50 feet along the flat "Side Trail" towards the center area of the back slope. The Japanese Maple Chair Swing will be on your left. This swing hangs under an Elm tree facing a stunning Japanese Maple and next to a well-established Rhododendron.   

From the Japanese Maple Chair Swing, turn left and walk up the moss-covered slope "Inner Loop" to the Sweet Osmanthus Deck (Osmanthus fragrans). The deck also houses a micro greenhouse and plant hospital.

From the Sweet Osmanthus Deck, turn right to walk along the flat trail towards the hammock. The Pieris Hammock (Pieris japonica) hangs under the x and y trees.

From the Pieris Hammock, walk a few steps up the slope and through the gate into the Seven Layer Food Forest. This 1,800 square foot forest garden is a burgeoning Garden of Eden with two meditative paths that wind through fruit- and nut-bearing trees and shrubs, and other edible and medicinal plants, including Pawpaw trees, Raspberries, Asparagus, King stropharia mushrooms, and Muscadine grapes.

From the Food Forest, exit to and through the Moss Garden, to the front of the house, and down the driveway approximately 50 feet. The Mahonia Picnic Area (Berberis bealei) and chicken coop will be on your left.  

From the Mahonia Picnic Area, turn left to re-enter the driveway and walk approximately 150 feet to exit the property. If you glance back while walking along the driveway, you may catch a view of the heart-shaped tree blooming above/behind the house! Farewell and may peace be with you.